Monday, June 2, 2014

Meet Author Rebecca Waters ~ Plus win a copy of her book, Breathing on Her Own

Today it's my pleasure to introduce to you Rebecca Waters. Her debut novel, Breathing on Her Own, was recently released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. It's a story of faith, forgiveness, restoration
and family crisis. I'm looking forward to reading it. Becky will be giving away a signed paperback copy to one of you, so be sure to participate. Enjoy the interview.

Tell us a little about yourself, Becky.

I am a wife, mother
and grandmother. I taught in the primary grades for nearly twenty years, but
after earning my doctorate from the University of Cincinnati, I felt called to
teach at Cincinnati Christian University. I was head of the teacher education
program at the university for fourteen and a half years. In 2011 my husband
suffered a series of heart issues resulting in four-way bypass surgery. The
surgeon started talking about “the next time.” We looked at each other and
started planning our retirement. We retired in 2012.

Tell us about your new book.

Breathing on Her Own is my first novel. It’s about a woman
(Molly) nearing retirement when her adult daughter is injured in a terrible accident.
Another woman is dead. When Molly learns
her daughter was driving under the influence, she is gripped with shame and
doubt. How can she face her friends? Where was God? How could He have let this
happen? As the story unfolds, Molly comes to realize her faith in God is
faltering. It’s a story of faith, forgiveness, restoration and family crisis.

What started you on your writing journey?

My second grade
teacher told me I was a writer. As a senior in high school, my English teacher
told me I was a writer. So of course I wanted to be a writer, right? No. I
wanted to be a teacher. However, I have
always enjoyed writing. As an educator, I wrote research-based articles for
journals. As a teacher I wrote stories for my students. As a mom, I wrote teen
novellas for my daughters. I’ve written for Christian as well as education
publications. When my husband and I decided to retire, I turned my attention to
writing a novel.

What do you think the Lord
is teaching you through your writing?

I think He is teaching me to
trust Him with the details, and to use the gifts He has given me to serve Him
in a new and exciting way. He’s also teaching me to be patient and humble.

What is your personal, most
effective way to get past writer’s block?

What I have found most helpful is to move away from one
project and write something totally different. My mind seems to engage in the
writing process and the problem I had with one piece seems to work itself out
as I write another. That said, I recently read someone suggest that to get your
creative juices going you need to engage in something else that is creative
such as making a craft or trying a new recipe. I may try that the next time I
feel stuck.

What advice do you have for the aspiring
writers who might be reading this today?

Write, write, and
then write some more. Also, I encourage new writers to draft a business plan
for themselves. When you start to think of your writing as a business, you
always have a “next step.” Another benefit to that is you stop becoming so
emotionally attached to your words. This is handy when an editor wants to cut
them or asks you for a total rewrite.

What is your favorite Scripture?

I have always leaned
on Colossians 3:23when it comes to my work at hand. But lately I have been
drawn to1 Thessalonians 4:11 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to
mind your own business, and work with your own hands….”

And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men. Colossians 3:23Thank you so much Becky for being my guest this week on Write Moments with God. Thank you for offering to give-away a copy of your novel.All readers who comment below will be included in the drawing. Please include your email address (if I don't have it) so I can contact you in the event that you are the winner. Please share this post with your social media friends so they can participate too. The winner will be announced here next Monday, June 9th.As always, I am honored that you have joined me here today. You make my day.

6 comments:

I'm so glad you invited Rebecca to be your guest, Rose. I've read Breathing on Her Own and highly recommend it. The story is thought provoking and inspiring. It made me ask "What if something like this happened to me and how would I deal with it?" The novel shows all of the stages of grief and the steps along the road to healing taken by a very real Christ- loving woman. I'm happy Rebecca chose to become a writer in her retirement.

What a wonderful author to have chosen, Rose! Thank you! I found myself relating personally to a lot that Rebecca shared. Breathing on Her Own sounds like a fabulous read. I will check it out & wish Rebecca much success and blessing in the future! Continue the good works Rose!

Great interview, Rose and Becky. I love learning more about the authors I read, specially those I've met personally and have become friends with, despite the distance that separates us. Thanks, ladies for an interesting blog post.

Wonderful interview and I would love to read this book. It is refreshing to learn about other authors and insights into their lives and what inspires them to write. Also to know that there are authors like you special ladies, Rose and Rebecca, who are bringing encouragement, faith and hope to others through your writing. Thank you!

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About Me

What defines me as a person--first and foremost my relationship with Christ. Then I have to say my children. I have six children, three sons and three daughters, whom I love with all my heart. I graduated college wanting to be a writer and a stay at home mom. After my divorce, I became a teacher and the writing became a once in a while thing. I have worked in education for the last 25 years. I've served as an English teacher, French teacher, counselor and librarian. Currently, I'm an adjunct English instructor at a community college. In 2008, I started writing again. Mostly I write about God in my everyday life, how to connect faith and figure out practical applications for Scripture in daily life. God's goodness gives me strength for each day. Let's encourage one another on this blog. And, by the way, I'm a Southerner, born in Georgia, and have lived in Martinez (suburb of Augusta, GA) for the last thirty years.